In the DVD, “Cognitive Learning Theory,” Dr. Michael Orey describes the cognitive theory of “Paivio’s Dual Coding Hypothesis which states that students remember images better than text”(Laureate, 2009) when storing information in long term memory. Images are stored as well as text labels which tags the memory for retention. In Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski’s Chapter 4, “Cues, Questions and Advance Organizers” of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the authors discuss the use of multi-media tools as advance organizers. Video clips activate the senses of vision and hearing as well as helping kinesthetic learners to connect with the clips shown. Mrs. Simpson, language arts teacher, realizes that, “the visuals will help her affluent students, who have no real idea of hunger or hopelessness, gain a better sense of the hardships of that time period” (ASCD McREL, 2007). Prior knowledge can be activated by the video in preparation for the connecting of new knowledge which occurs in cognitive theory learning.
Multi-media is also mentioned as effective support of cognitive theory in the “Summarizing and Notetaking,” chapter 6 of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. The authors discuss high school students use of a “wiki to collaborate on a project where they create a teaser for a movie about Julius Caesar” (ASCD McREL, 2007). Notes are taken separately by students and then combined to create a script for a video project. This type of collaboration also engages students’ creativity and sets the stage for episodic memory to be created. All students contribute personal knowledge, and through the use of technology, sort and summarize their contributions. This assignment becomes a social endeavor as they give of their creativity and knowledge to decide on the best use of the information and present it in the most interesting manner to the group.
My daily experiences with using multi-media sources is that it excites the learner and becomes personal to him/her. The down-side is that teachers “must ensure that students stay focused on distinguishing trivial content from essential content” (ASCD McREL, 2007). When my students collaborate and create their video projects based on research and free creativity, they involve their sensory receptors which help place the information in short-term memory and then long-term memory as further connections are made to the topic and knowledge is stored as supported by the cognitive learning theory.
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I also enjoyed reading about the multi-media tools as advanced organizers. I think that it is great to be able to show students video clips and other images to help with their background knowledge of a topic. I liked the example of creating visuals for hunger and hopelessness. It is true that some students who have never experience this might not truly know what these words mean. By showing them a video clip, it will aid in their understanding.
ReplyDeleteMulti-media as well as the virtual field trip that we designed this week do bring the world into our classrooms. In doing so, we create events for our students that are stored in episodic memory which aids in retention. Learning how the brain functions "as a sieve instead of a sponge," as Dr. Orey noted, is important. We need to know how to make the important stuff stick.
ReplyDeleteI agree that students can lose their focus quickly, in a computer labe, and need constant guidance from the teacher about what material is important. This topic is a favorite at lunch time amongst our staff. Most staff members agree that the computer is a wonderful tool to help the students learn, however, struggle with keeping their focus at times. I have noticed that the older the student, the more distractions.
ReplyDeleteKeeping students attention these days are truly a task and the computer lab should be a place of success when it come to this. I agree with courtney that students truly need constant attention and the older the student the more the distractions is very true, I see it everyday and with the environment that I teach in I understand why. So like Dr Orey stated we just need to find a way to make the important stuff stick!
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